British food and drink exporters have been told to “reach out again” to European partners, with the UK-EU ‘reset’ deal providing “renewed impetus” for trade with the bloc.
The UK and EU set out their intention to create a common sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) area at Monday’s (19 May) leaders’ summit in a bid to reduce much of the bureaucracy that has come in since Brexit.
At a free industry webinar hosted by the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade on Wednesday (21 May), Joe Goldsworthy, the SPS lead at the Chartered Institute, said that this new zone could significantly reduce documentary requirements for food and drink traders, including export health certificates.
His claim that it hat been a “momentous week” for UK trade was echoed by his fellow panelist, Leanne Parkin, the operations director at Ramsden International. She said the news was “really good” for businesses like hers.
Devil in the detail
Goldsworthy did warn, however, that the “devil’s in the detail and we don’t yet have the detail” in terms of how this SPS area could work.
He acknowledged that it is unlikely that the legal framework for the area will be agreed until at least the middle of 2026, but said businesses can use this time to get ahead of their competitors.
“The EU is still the biggest trading partner with the UK, but exports to Europe have stagnated in recent years – exports of food products alone are down 35% since Brexit.
“However, with the announcement on Monday of the common SPS area, there is renewed impetus to reach out to the region, establishing contact with lapsed customers or new ones.
“It’s a good time to cement yourself in that region once again.”
He added that the eventual removal of export health certificates could save businesses exporting animal-origin goods up to £200 per consignment, while the elimination of similar documentation for plants and organic products will also save “costs and time”.
Other deals
The UK’s recent trade deal with India was also highlighted by Goldsworthy as a significant opportunity for various sectors including whisky, gin, confectionary and meat products like lamb and salmon.
He said the agreement includes “humongous tariff reductions” and significant trade facilitation clauses.
Parkin added that her company had already benefited from the trade deals the country has signed with Australia and New Zealand, which have created “zero tariffs” for trade with markets which have “no language barriers”.
She noted, though, that businesses needed to properly understand the origin of their products to avoid delays and hassle at these countries’ borders.
Improved online support
Parkin and fellow panelist Andrew Martyn, a key account manager at DFDS, also noted the importance doing your “reading and research” before entering any new export market.
However, the online information provided by government to support businesses navigate regulatory requirements for trade with other countries has “greatly improved since Brexit”, according to Martyn.
Member exclusive
